1998

1 The rise of the first Magadh Kingdom in: 14 Who led the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar?
(a) 4th Century BC (b) 6th Century BC (a) Khan Bahadur Khan (b) Kunwar Singh
nd
(c) 2 Century BC (d) 1st Century BC (c) Tatya Tope (d) Rani Ram Kumari
2 Which ruler established Patliputra, as first time 15 Where did the first session of Indian National Congress
capital? was held?
(a) Chandragupta Maurya (a) Calcutta (b) Lahore (c) Bombay (d) Pune
(b) Ashoka the Great 16 Which viceroy did ‘Partition of Bengal’ in 1905?
(c) Chandragupta Vikramaditya (a) Lord Harding (b) Lord Curzon
(d) Kanishka (c) Lord Lytton (d) Lord Minto
3 Nalanda University was famous for: 17 Who was the writer of ‘Neel Darpan’ written on the
(a) Medical Science (b) Logic plight of indigo planters?
(c) Buddhist Philosophy (d) Chemical Science (a) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
4 Where was the birthplace of Mahavir Swamy, the (b) Deenbandhu Mittra
propounder of Jain Dharma? (c) Sharat Chandra Chatterjee
(a) Pippali Van (b) Vaishali (d) Rabindranath Tagore
(c) Kundagram (d) Vikramshila 18 In which peasant movement Mahatma Gandhi had
5 Who was the writer of ‘Tabaqat-E-Nasiri’? participated first time?
(a) Sheikh Jamaluddin (b) Al-Biruni (a) Khera (b) Champaran
(c) Minhaz-us-Siraz (d) Ziauddin Barhi (c) Bardoli (d) Baroda
6 Which Sultan made ‘Alai Darwaza’? 19 Which women has maximum contribution to Indian
(a) Iltutmish (b) Balban Politics after 1947?
(c) Alauddin Khilzi (d) Firozshah Tughalaq (a) Aruna Asaf Ali (b) Kamla Rani Singh
7 Who was the writer of ‘Humayunama’? (c) Rajkumar Shukla (d) Rabri Devi
(a) Babar (b) Humayun 20 Who was the leader of Bihar who led Kisan movement
(c) Gulbadan Begum (d) Jahangir with Mahatma Gandhi?
8 Which mandal of Rigveda is devoted to ‘Soma’? (a) Baba Ramchandra (b) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(a) VII mandal (b) VIII mandal (c) Rajkumar Shukla (d) Rafi Ahmad Kidwai
(c) IX mandal (d) X mandal 21 Indian National Congress was founded by:
(a) A. O. Hume (b) Surendranath Bannerjee
9 The famous ‘war of ten kings’ were fought on the
(c) W. C. Bannerji (d) Annie Besant
bank of which river?
(a) Ganga (b) Brahmaputra 22 Who wrote the song ‘Vande Mataram’?
(c) Cauveri (d) Parushni (a) Rabindranath Tagore
(b) Venugopal Mishra
10 Which of the following region was not part of the
(c) Bankim Chandra Chatterjee
Ashoka Kingdom?
(d) Girish Chandra Ghosh
(a) Afghanistan (b) Bihar
(c) Sri Lanka (d) Kalinga 23 The resolution on complete Independence was passed
in the Lahore congress in year:
11 What was the rate of land revenue in the Gupta period? (a) 1919 (b) 1929 (c) 1939 (d) 1942
(a) 4th part of the produce (b) 6th part of the produce
(c) 8th part of the produce (d) ½ part of the produce 24 One of the founder members of leaders of Hindustan
Socialist Republican Army was:
12 ‘Red Fort’ of Delhi was made by: (a) B.R. Ambedkar (b) Bhagat Singh
(a) Akbar (b) Jahangir (c) Subhash Chandra Bose (d) Jay Prakash Narayan
(c) Nurjahan (d) Shahjahan
25 “Swaraj is my birthright and I will have it”. This state-
13 By whom English did ‘Treaty a Srirangapattanam’? ments is related to whom?
(a) Haider Ali (b) Dupley (a) Lala Lajpat Rai (b) Mahatma Gandhi
(c) Tipu Sultan (d) Nangraj (c) Bal Gangadhar Tilak (d) Subhash Chandra Bose
 BPSC
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Prelims
(1998) 331
26 The Resolution of separate Pakistan demanded by 39 Who led the movement for a separate province in
Muslim League was passed in: Bihar that resulted in a new province of Bihar and
(a) 1905 (b) 1917 (c) 1940 (d) 1946 Orissa in 1911?
27 Ramse McDonald’s Communal Award of August 1932 (a) Sachchidanand Sinha (b) Anugraha Narayan Singh
created first time a separate electorate for: (c) J. B. Kriplani (d) Birsa Munda
(a) Muslims (b) Indian Christians 40 Name of two important political parties which
(c) Anglo-Indians (d) Depressed Classes contributed to Russian Revolution of 1917.
28 The government of India Act, of 1935 abolished one of (a) Congress and Janta Dal
the following: (b) Conservative and Labour Parties
(a) Provincial Autonomy (c) Democratic and Republican Party
(b) Provincial Diarchy (d) Bolshevic and Menshavic Party
(c) Federal Structure of India 41 Bihar separated from Bengal in:
(d) Responsible Central Government (a) 1910 (b) 1912 (c) 1921 (d) 1947
29 “Swaraj is made for masses, not for classes”, who 42 When was the first General Election of Lok Sabha
said it: held?
(a) C. R. Das (b) C. Rajgopalachari (a) In 1949 (b) In 1952 (c) In 1950 (d) In 1954
(c) Motilal Nehru (d) Gopinath Sahu
43 The Constitution of India has:
30 All India Congress Committee passed a resolution for (a) More than 300 Articles (b) More than 350 Articles
Quit India Movement in the year: (c) More than 400 Articles (d) 500 Articles
(a) 1970 (b) 1917 (c) 1930 (d) 1942
44 In Preamble of the Constitution of India, India is
31 The formation of the Indian National Government declared as a:
(Azad Hind Sarkar) was announced on:
(a) Sovereign, democratic, republic
(a) 26 January 1930 (b) 8 August 1942
(b) Socialist, democratic, republic
(c) 21 October 1943 (d) 18 January 1946
(c) Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic
32 Who was not associated with the Champaran (d) None of these
Movement?
45 Which of the following is not a Fundamental Right?
(a) Dr. Rajendra Prasad (b) Anugraha Narayan Singh
(a) Right to Constitutional Remedy
(c) J. B. Kripalani (d) Jayaprakash Narayan
(b) Right to Property
33 Swami Sahjanand was associated with: (c) Right to Peaceful Assembly
(a) Tribal Movements of Bihar (d) Right to move freely throughout the territory of India
(b) Caste Movement of Bihar
(c) Peasant Movement of Bihar 46 Who holds the executive power of the Union Govern-
(d) Labour Movement of Bihar ment by the Constitution of India?
(a) The President of India
34 A movement against Chowkidari tax in Begusari was (b) The Prime Minister of India
a spur of:
(c) Union Cabinet
(a) Non-Cooperation Movement
(d) All of the above three
(b) Civil Disobedience Movement
(c) Quit India Movement 47 Generally, the Prime Minister of India comes from:
(d) Khilafat Movement (a) No member of Parliament
(b) Lok Sabha
35 There was a terrible feud between Hindu-Muslim
(c) Rajya Sabha
on the issue of cow-protection in Shahabad, Gaya and
(d) Member from both houses
Patna districts in the year:
(a) 1917 (b) 1919 (c) 1939 (d) 1946 48 How many sessions are at least called in Lok Sabha?
36 The Chhotanagpur Tenancy Act of 1908, had banned: (a) One time in a year (b) Two times in a year
(a) Independent Industry based on forest product (c) Three times in a year (d) Four times in a year
(b) Burning of forest 49 Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for:
(c) Beth Begari (a) 4 years (b) 5 years
(d) Khuntkatti Land System (c) 6 years (d) Life long
37 “Hum bahut badi bhul karenge yadi hum Bihar ki 50 Which state has maximum representatives in Lok
janta or unke mantrimandal ko lage ke netao ke hinsak Sabha?
or assabhya aakrmano ke aage aarakshit chhod denge” (a) Bihar (b) Madhya Pradesh
Who said in it in year 1946? (c) West Bengal (d) Uttar Pradesh
(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Jawaharlal Nehru
51 The Supreme Court of India was established by:
(c) Rajendra Prasad (d) Sardar Patel
(a) An Act of Parliament in 1950
38 The first sitting of the Congress Socialist Party was (b) Indian Independent Act, 1947
held in Patna in year: (c) Government of India Act, 1935
(a) 1921 (b) 1934 (c) 1937 (d) 1939 (d) Constitution of India
332 OSWAAL BPSC Prelims 20 previous years solved papers
52 The dissolution of Lok Sabha before its normal time 67 Dry ice is:
can be done by: (a) Solid Water (b) Solid Carbon Dioxide
(a) The President at will (c) Dehydrated ice (d) Solid Hydrogen Peroxide
(b) The Prime Minister at will 68 Delhi is a:
(c) The Speaker at will (a) State (b) Union Territory
(d) By the President on the recommendation of the Prime (c) An autonomous council (d) None of these
Minister 69 Cauvery Water dispute is of:
53 For functioning successfully, Panchayati Raj needs co- (a) Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
operation of: (b) Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
(a) Local people (b) Union Government (c) Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
(c) Bureaucrats (d) Political leaders (d) Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry
70 Garo tribe is of:
54 The creation of energy on the sun is by: (a) Assam (b) Manipur
(a) Nuclear fission (b) Nuclear Fusion (c) Mizoram (d) Meghalaya
(c) Oxidation reaction (d) Reduction reactions
71 Bhakhra-Nangal is a joint project of:
55 Which of the following has no Carbon? (a) Haryana-Punjab-Rajasthan
(a) Diamond (b) Graphite (b) Haryana-Punjab-Delhi
(c) Coal (d) None of these (c) Himachal Pradesh-Haryana-Punjab
56 Sir C. V. Raman received Noble Prize of Physics in: (d) Punjab-Delhi-Rajasthan
(a) 1928 (b) 1930 (c) 1932 (d) 1950 72 Konkan railway passes through states of:
(a) Maharashtra-Goa-Karnataka
57 The density of water is maximum at:
(b) Maharashtra-Karnataka-Kerala
(a) 100°C (b) 4°C (c) 0°C (d) -4°C
(c) Maharashtra-Goa-Kerala
58 The most abundant element found in the earth crust: (d) Maharashtra-Goa-Karnataka-Kerala
(a) Oxygen (b) Nitrogen 73 Muri is famous for:
(c) Manganese (d) Silicon (a) Bauxite-mines (b) Alumina-Plant
59 The formula of ‘Plaster of Paris’ is: (c) Alcohol-Plant (d) Sponge-Iron plant
(a) CaSO4 (b) CaSO4. 2H2O 74 In Bihar, Maithan produces:
(c) CaSO4. H2O (d) CaSO4. 1/2H2O (a) Thermal-power (b) Hydro-electric
(c) Nuclear-power (d) Solar-energy
60 Which of the following acids is found in Vinegar?
75 In India, Bihar is foremost producer of:
(a) Hydrochloric acid (b) Citric acid
(a) Lead (b) Maganese
(c) Oxalic acid (d) Acetic acid
(c) Mica (d) Lime-stone
61 The velocity of sound in air is approximately: 76 According to latest census, the average annual growth
(a) 10 km/sec (b) 10 miles/minute rate of population of India is:
(c) 330 m/sec (d) 3 × 1010 cm/sec (a) Show increasing tendency
62 The time taken to reach sunlight to the earth surface (b) Show decreasing trend
is about: (c) Explosive tendency
(a) 4.2 minute (b) 4.8 minute (d) Constant
(c) 8.5 minute (d) 3.6 minute 77 In India, it is not included in land reforms:
63 What is increased to hardening the steel? (a) Abolition of intermediaries
(b) Co-operative farming
(a) Amount of Carbon (b) Amount of Manganese
(c) Consolidation of farms
(c) Amount of Silicon (d) Amount of Chromium
(d) House-loans of farmers
64 The technique of ‘Chromatography’, is used in:
78 The success of the ‘Green Revolution’ is dependent
(a) Recognition of coloured substances
on availability of following:
(b) In determining the structure of substances
(a) H.Y.V. of Seeds
(c) Fractional distillation of coloured substances (b) Sufficient irrigation sources
(d) Separation of substances from a mixture (c) Chemical fertilizers and Insecticides
65 In household L.P.G. Cylinder pressure scale is not (d) All of these
given, because:
79 In Bihar, production - wise, second crop after rice is:
(a) It is too costly
(a) Wheat (b) Maize (c) Gram (d) Potatoes
(b) It cannot indicate the mass of gas in L.P.G. Cylinders
(c) It is not useful 80 After independence, irrigated area in Bihar is increased
(d) It is choked by L.P.G. to:
(a) Two-times (b) Four-times
66 The nature of radiation of Light is:
(c) Five-times (d) Ten-times
(a) Like a wave
(b) Like a particle 81 In India, Bihar has the monopoly in production of:
(c) Like a wave and particle both (a) Lime-stone (b) Coal
(d) Not like a wave and particle (c) Pyrite (d) Graphite
 BPSC
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82 In Chhotanagpur, at primary level, the economy was 100 From which of the following minerals iron is
based on: obtained?
(a) Agriculture (b) Forest (a) Lime stone (b) Pitchblende
(c) Mining (d) Industries (c) Monazite Sands (d) Hematite
83 In India, the largest producer of Wheat is: 101 The chemical name of Vitamin C is _____.
(a) Punjab (b) Haryana (a) Ascorbic acid (b) Thiamine
(c) Uttar Pradesh (d) Bihar (c) Citric acid (d) Tartaric acid
84 Sumeshwar series of Bihar is: 102 How many prime odd pairs lie between 70 and 100?
(a) Older than Parasnath hills (a) 1 (b) 0 (c) 2 (d) 3
(b) Older than Rajmahal hills
103 In a series 1, 5, 13, 29, 61 _____, the missing number is:
(c) Older than Kharagpur hills
(a) 90 (b) 103 (c) 109 (d) 125
(d) Newer than all of these
104 If the sides of a triangle are 11 m, 60 m and 61 m then
85 In Bihar, Damodar river following through:
which of the following is the height relative to longest
(a) A Karst region (b) A fault trough
side?
(c) An alluvial region (d) None of these
(a) 10 m (b) 9 m (c) 10.8 m (d) 9.8 m
86 Percentage of forest of total geographical area of
Bihar is: 105 The difference between two positive numbers is 72
(a) 17% (b) 23% (c) 27% (d) 33% and one is divided by other then dividend is 4, numbers
are:
87 In Bihar heavy machine plant is situated at: (a) 40, 112 (b) 24, 96 (c) 32, 108 (d) 30, 102
(a) Jamshedpur (b) Bokaro
(c) Barauni (d) Ranchi 106 What is the average of first ten prime numbers?
(a) 12.7 (b) 13 (c) 12.9 (d) 12.8
88 The planet which has no any satellite is:
(a) Mars (b) Mercury (c) Neptune (d) Pluto 107 The difference of 5 miles and 8 km if converted into
yards is:
89 Gulf-stream is:
(a) 51.1 (b) 51 (c) 52.2 (d) 52
(a) A river in a bay (b) An oceanic current
(c) Other name of Jet-stream (d) A surface wind 108 A solid sphere of copper has a diameter of 6 cm. It is
transformed into a wire of diameter is 0.2 cm, length of
90 The most populated country of the world is:
wire is:
(a) India (b) USA (c) China (d) Russia
(a) 36 m (b) 360 m (c) 24 m (d) 360 cm
91 Johannesburg is famous for:
(a) Gold mines (b) Tin mines 109 In Eighth Plan aim for GDP target to the level of:
(c) Mica mines (d) Iron-ore mines. (a) 6.5% (b) 4.5% (c) 6% (d) 5.6%

92 Pigmies are inhabitants of: 110 In India mostly unemployed in:

(a) Africa (b) Asia (a) Industry (b) Agriculture
(c) Australia (d) South America (c) Mining (d) None of these
93 The highest mountain peak in India is: 111 Land Development Bank is part of the following:
(a) Mt. Everest (b) Kanchenjungha (a) Commercial Bank (b) IDBI
(c) Godwin Austin (d) Nanga Parbat (c) NABARD (d) Cooperative Infrastructure
94 The formation of Shiwalik series in: 112 The aim of the New Economic Policy of 1991 was:
(a) Eozoic period (b) Palaeozoic period (a) Liberalization (b) Privatization
(c) Mesozoic period (d) Cenozoic period (c) Globalization (d) All of these
95 ‘Regur’ is name of: 113 Which of the following is the biggest single means by
(a) Red Soil (b) Black Soil which the government gets income from revenue tax
(c) Alluvial Soil (d) Laterite Soil in India?
(a) Excise duties (b) Custom duties
96 The electrolyte used in a car battery is:
(c) Personal Income tax (d) Corporation tax
(a) Hydrochloric acid (b) Sulphuric acid
(c) Nitric acid (d) Distilled water 114 Which of the following is not the tax of the Union
97 One Picogram is equal to: Government?
(a) 10-6 gram (b) 10-9 gram (a) Income Tax (b) Land Revenue
12
(c) 10- gram (d) 10-15 gram (c) Custom Duties (d) Excise Duties

98 Milk is an example of: 115 The most important article of export from India is:
(a) Solution (b) Colloidal Solution (a) Leather good (b) Textiles
(c) Emulsion (d) Air Solute (c) Tea (d) Rice
99 Which of the following gases is responsible for 116 Reserve Bank of India helped to invest in foreign
depletion of ozone-layer? trade of India by:
(a) Carbon Dioxide (b) Carbon Monoxide (a) NABARD (b) EXIM Bank
(c) Nitrous Oxide (d) Chlorofluorocarbon (c) IDBI (d) SBI
334 OSWAAL BPSC Prelims 20 previous years solved papers
117 Which country is not the member of South Asian (c) Parez ‘D’ Quar (1982-91) Peru
Association of Regional Cooperation? (d) Uthant (1961-71) Myanmar
(a) Afghanistan (b) Bangladesh
134 Why was Nalanda University famous in the world?
(c) Nepal (d) Pakistan
(a) Medical Science
118 ‘HUDCO’ means: (b) Philosophy
(a) Housing and Urban Development Corporation (c) Buddhist Religious Philosophy
(b) Himachal United Development Company (d) Chemical Science
(c) Human Ruban Distribution Company
(d) Hissar Ruban Distribution Community 135 “It will be our blunder if we leave people of Bihar
and their government unsafe before the violence and
119 A man buys 11 books in `10 and sells 10 books for `11.
uncivilised attacks of league leader”. In the year 1946 who
His percentage profit is:
told this?
(a) 12 (b) 12.5 (c) 21.5 (d) 21
(a) Mahatma Gandhi (b) Jawahar Lal Nehru
120 If x-a is one factor of x3 - a2x + x + 2 then the value of (c) Rajendra Prasad (d) Sardar Patel
a is:
136 International Court of Justice is situated at:
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) -2 (d) 1
(a) Geneva (c) The Hague
121 If A and B are two sets such that A∪B has 18, A has 8, B (b) London (d) Paris
has 15 elements, then A ∩ B has number of elements as:
(a) 0 (b) 5 (c) 23 (d) 26 137 ‘The Statue of Liberty’ is in:
(a) France (b) Spain
122 The Woman’s Day is celebrated on which day? (c) England (d) U.S.A.
(a) 8 March (b) 14 February
(c) 10 May (d) 2 October 138 Who fought for apartheid for long in the South Africa?
(a) Kenneth Kaunda (b) Idi Amin
123 The birth place of Mother Teresa was: (c) Yasar Arafat (d) Nelson Mandela
(a) Albania (b) France (c) Greece (d) Italy
139 Who is the Prime Minister of England?
124 The country Israel was made for: (a) Bill Clinton (b) John F. Kennedy
(a) Bodh (b) Christians (c) Jews (d) Muslims (c) Benjamin Netanyahu (d) Tony Blair
125 The name ‘Agni’ is related with:
140 Which country won the Sharjah Cup in 1998?
(a) A match to fight with fire (b) A warfare tank
(a) Australia (b) India
(c) An aeroplane (d) A missile
(c) New Zealand (d) Pakistan
126 New name of Madras of:
141 Who is appointed as the governor of Bihar by the Atal
(a) Chennai (b) Karmavati Nagar
Bihari Bajpai government?
(c) Mumbai (d) Rajpura
(a) Sunder Lal Bhandari (b) Sunder Lal Patwa
127 Khamer Resh is the dictator party of: (c) Swaraj Kaushal (d) Pramod Mahajan
(a) Combodia (b) Indonesia
142 Karunanidhi is the Chief Minister of:
(c) Malaysia (d) Thailand
(a) Andhra Pradesh (b) Karnataka
128 Famous ecological specialist Sunderlal Bahuguna is (c) Kerala (d) Tamil Nadu
known for his work:
143 The election for the 12th Lok Sabha of India was held
(a) Chipko Andolan (b) Narmada Bachao
in:
(c) Satyagrah (d) Anti-corruption
(a) April, 1996 (b) June, 1996
129 Two states talking for the surrender of sandal wood (c) April, 1997 (d) February, 1998
Smuggler Virappan were:
(a) Andhra and Kerala 144 The Oscar Award for the best film in 1998 was given to:
(b) Bihar and Bengal (a) Fugitive (b) Jurassic Park
(c) Karnataka and Tamil Nadu (c) Star War Saga (d) Titanic
(d) Gujarat and Maharashtra 145 The Last Kumbh Mela of 20th century was celebrated at
130 Geet Sethi is an expert in the game: (a) Allahabad (b) Ayodhya
(a) Basket Ball (b) Chess (c) Haridwar (d) Varanasi
(c) Snooker (d) Tennis 146 The Prasar Bharti Bill in 1997 was put on the table of
131 Saddam Hussain is the president of: parliament by:
(a) Iraq (b) Iran (a) Jaypal Reddy (b) Sushma Swaraj
(c) Kuwait (d) Saudi Arabia (c) Santosh Mohandeo (d) L. K. Adwani

132 The secretary of state of America is: 147 Fatwa (Religious order) of death against Salman
Rushdie was issued by:
(a) Hillary Rodham Clinton (b) Madeleine Albright
(a) Ayatollah Khamenei (b) Rafsanjani
(c) Robin Cook (d) Tariq Altaf
(c) Gulbuddin Hikamatyar (d) Nazibullah Zadran
133 Who is the Secretary General of UNO?
148 Queen Victoria was appointed the empress of India in:
(a) Butrous-Butrous Ghali (1992-96) Egypt
(a) 1858 (b) 1876 (c) 1877 (d) 1885
(b) Kofi Annan (1997-2006) Ghana
 BPSC
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149 Lakshadweep Island is situated: 150 The author of the book ‘Life Divine’ is:
(a) In South West India (a) S. Radhakrishnan
(b) In South India (b) Mulkraj Anand
(c) In South East India (c) Aurobindo Ghosh
(d) In East India near West Bengal (d) Swami Vivekanand

ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATION

1 Option (b) is correct. of the earliest known autobiographical works in Islamic
Explanation: Magadha Empire emerged in the 6th literature.
century BC. 8 Option (c) is correct.
„ The founders of Magadha were Jarasandha and Explanation: The ninth Mandala of the Rig Veda is
Brihadratha, but it was the Haryanka dynasty that laid dedicated to the worship and praise of the god Soma.
the foundation for the growth and development of the „ This mandala contains a collection of hymns that are
kingdom. solely focused on Soma, who was considered a divine
2 Option (a) is correct. plant in ancient Vedic religion.
Explanation: Pataliputra, adjacent to Patna of modern „ The hymns in this mandala praise Soma’s power and
India, was a city in ancient India, originally built by ability and seek his blessings for the prosperity and well-
the Magadha ruler Udayin in 490 BC as a small fortress being of the people.
(paligram) near the Ganges River. 9 Option (d) is correct.
Patliputra was made capital for the first time by Explanation: The famous “War of Ten Kings” was fought
Chandragupta Maurya, founder of Mauryan Empire in on the banks of the river Parushni in the Punjab region of
ancient India. ancient India.
„ According to the Rigveda, the battle was fought
3 Option (c) is correct.
between King Sudas, a Bharata king of the Tritsu family,
Explanation: Nalanda University was primarily devoted
and a coalition of ten tribes including the Puru, Yadu,
to Buddhist studies. Turvasa, Anu, Druhyu, Alina, Paktha, Bhalanas, Shiva, and
„ Nalanda was one of the famous universities of ancient Vishanin.
India, which was established Kumaragupta (Shakaraditya) „ The War of Ten Kings is considered an important
of the Gupta dynasty in 427 AD in the present Bihar state event in Indian history and is believed to have taken
of Northeast India. place around 1200 BCE.
„ It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
10 Option (c) is correct.
4 Option (c) is correct. Explanation:
Explanation: Mahavir Swami was born in 599 BC to King „ During Ashoka’s reign, the Mauryan Empire covered
Siddhartha and Queen Trishala of the Ikshvaku dynasty a vast region that extended from Afghanistan to
at Kundagram under the Vaishali district of Bihar. Bangladesh, with its capital at Patliputra (present-day
„ Mahavira, also known as Vardhamana, was the 24th Patna).
Tirthankara of Jainism. „However, the empire did not cover modern-day
5 Option (c) is correct. Kerala and Tamil Nadu, or Sri Lanka.
Explanation: “Tabaqat-i-Nasiri” was written by Minhaj- 11 Option (b) is correct.
i-Siraj, a 13th-century Persian historian and author from Explanation: In the Gupta period, the rate of land revenue
the Indian subcontinent. was generally fixed at 1/6th of the agricultural produce.
„ The rate of land revenue varied from region to region
„ It is an extensive history of the Islamic world, completed and depended on the quality of the soil, the type of crops
in 1260, and aims to provide an account of the Muslim grown, and the amount of rainfall.
dynasties that emerged in Iran and Central Asia.
12 Option (d) is correct.
6 Option (c) is correct. Explanation: The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila, was
Explanation: The Alai Darwaza was built by Alauddin built by Shah Jahan in 1648.
Khilji, the ruler of the Khilji dynasty of the Delhi „ The fort is made up of red sandstone and its architecture
Sultanate in 1311 AD. is amazing, created without the use of modern technologies.
„ Alai Darwaza is a monumental gateway that is part of „ The Red Fort was included in the list of UNESCO
the Qutub Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage site in world heritage sites in 2007.
Delhi, India. 13 Option (c) is correct.
7 Option (c) is correct. Explanation: The Treaty of Srirangapatnam was signed
Explanation: The writer of “Humayunama” was Gulbadan by Lord Cornwallis on behalf of the British East India
Begum, a Mughal princess and the daughter of Emperor Company and Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of
Mysore, on March 18, 1792.
Babur.
„ The Treaty of Seringapatam was the outcome of the
„ Humayunama is a historical account of the life of her
Third Anglo-Mysore War.
brother, Emperor Humayun, and is considered to be one
336 OSWAAL BPSC Prelims 20 previous years solved papers
14 Option (b) is correct. The Indian National Congress was founded on
„
Explanation: Kunwar Singh was a prominent leader of December 28, 1885.
the Revolt of 1857 in Bihar. 22 Option (c) is correct.
„ Kunwar Singh’s revolt began in the Danapur Canton- Explanation: The song “Vande Mataram” was written by
ment area of Bihar. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, a Bengali writer and
„ He was assisted by his commander-in-chief Hare novelist, in his novel “Anandamath” in 1882.
Krishna Singh and brother Babu Amar Singh. „ The song became a popular patriotic song during the
15 Option (c) is correct. Indian independence movement and was later adopted
Explanation: The First Session of the Indian National as the national song of India in 1950.
Congress was held in Bombay from 28–31 December 1885 23 Option (b) is correct.
on the initiative of Allan Octavian Hume. Explanation: The Indian National Congress passed the
„ The Indian National Congress was founded on 28 ‘Purna Swaraj’ resolution for total independence on
December 1885 at the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College in December 19, 1929, at its Lahore session.
Mumbai (then known as Bombay). „ January 26, 1930, was fixed as the first Independence
„ Allan Octavian Hume served as the general secretary (Swarajya) Day to be celebrated everywhere.
of the Congress while Womesh Chander Banerjee became „ At midnight on New Year’s Eve, President Jawaharlal
the first president. Nehru unfurled the tricolour flag of India on the banks
16 Option (b) is correct. of the Ravi in Lahore.
Explanation: 24 Option (b) is correct.
„ Lord Curzon announced the partition of Bengal on Explanation: The founding members of HSRA included
July 20, 1905, for administrative purposes, and it went Chandra Shekhar Azad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Bhagat Singh,
into effect on October 16, 1905. Sukhdev Thapar, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee.
„ The Partition of Bengal was annulled in 1911. „ The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA)

17 Option (b) is correct. was established in 1928 at Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi.
Explanation: Neel Darpan is a Bengali play written by 25 Option (c) is correct.
Dinabandhu Mitra in 1858-1859. Explanation: The statement “Swaraj is my birthright and
„ It is a Bengali play that was first published in 1860 and I shall have it” is associated with Bal Gangadhar Tilak, an
deals with the exploitation of indigo planters by their Indian nationalist, social reformer and freedom fighter.
British colonial masters in India. „ Tilak started the Indian Home Rule Movement in
18 Option (b) is correct. 1916, which is believed to have set the stage for the mass
Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi participated in the mobilization for independence movement.
Champaran Satyagraha, which was his first active 26 Option (c) is correct.
involvement in a peasant movement in India. Explanation: The Lahore Resolution, also known as the
„ Shukla and Sant Raut invited Gandhiji to come to Pakistan Resolution, was passed by the All-India Muslim
Champaran. League during its meeting in Lahore in March 1940.
„ The Champaran Satyagraha began on 10 April 1917. „ The resolution demanded the partition of the country
„ Brijkishore Prasad, Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan and the creation of a separate Muslim nation named
Sinha, Ram Navami Prasad and J. B. Kriplani Eminent Pakistan.
lawyers including Kriplani were part of Gandhiji’s 27 Option (d) is correct.
movement in the Champaran Satyagraha. Explanation: The Communal Award established separate
19 Option (a) is correct. electorates for depressed classes.
Explanation: Aruna Asaf Ali, as a women, has contributed „ The Communal Award, also known as the MacDonald
the most in Indian politics after 1947. Award, was created by British Prime Minister Ramsay
„ Aruna Asaf Ali was an Indian teacher, political activist MacDonald on August 16, 1932.
and publisher, who earned the nickname “Grand Old „ It was announced after the Round Table Conference
Lady” of the independence movement. held from 1930 to 1932.
„ After India gained independence, Aruna remained „ The Communal Award established separate electorates
active in politics and became the first mayor of Delhi. for depressed classes, which were granted seventy-
„ She received the Padma Vibhushan in 1992 and the eight reserved seats. Muslims, Europeans, Sikhs, Indian
Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1997 for her contribution Christians, Anglo-Indians, depressed classes, women, and
to Indian society. even the Marathas were to get separate electorates.
28 Option (b) is correct.
20 Option (c) is correct.
Explanation: The Government of India Act of 1935
Explanation: During the Champaran Satyagraha, Bihar’s
abolished dyarchy in the provinces and introduced
farmer leader Raj Kumar Shukla supported Gandhiji.
‘provincial autonomy’ in its place.
„ Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 was India’s first
„ The act divided powers between the centre and units
organised act of civil disobedience.
through three lists: Federal, Provincial and Concurrent.
21 Option (a) is correct.
„ The Viceroy was given residuary powers, but the
Explanation: The Indian National Congress was founded federation did not come into being as the princely states
on December 28, 1885 by Sir Allan Octavian Hume (A.O.
did not join it.
Hume), a British civil servant in India.
 BPSC
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29 Option (b) is correct. 37 Option (d) is correct.
Explanation: “Swaraj is made for masses, not for classes,” Explanation: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had said in 1946
was said by C. Rajagopalachari. that, we would make a big mistake if we leave the
„ Rajagopalachari was a follower of Mahatma Gandhi people of Bihar or their cabinet reserved for the violent
and played a significant role in India’s struggle for or uncivilized attacks of the leaders of the League”.
independence from British rule. 38 Option (b) is correct.
„ He was the first Indian Governor-General of India Explanation: The first All India Congress Socialist
after Independence in 1947 and held the position from Conference was held in Patna on May 17, 1934, and was
June 1948 to January 1950. presided over by Acharya Narendra Dev.
30 Option (d) is correct. „ The Congress Socialist Party (CSP) was formed within
Explanation: The Quit India Movement was launched the Congress on May 17, 1934, in Patna.
by the Indian National Congress (INC) on August 9, 1942, „ Acharya Narendra Dev was the president and
also known as the India August Movement or August Kranti. Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) was the general secretary of
„ The movement gave the slogans ‘Quit India’ or the party.
‘Bharat Chodo’ and ‘Do or die’ given by Gandhi. „ The founding members of the CSP were Dr
31 Option (c) is correct. Sampurnanand, Acharya Narendra Dev, Jai Prakash
Explanation: The Indian National Army (INA), also Narayan, and Minoo Masani.
known as Azad Hind Fauj, was initially established by 39 Option (a) is correct.
Mohan Singh in 1942. However, it was later revived Explanation: Sachchidanand Sinha was the first to raise
by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on October 21, 1943, voice for making Bihar a separate province, as a result, in
during the Second World War to secure India’s complete the year 1912, Orissa and Bihar provinces were created
independence from the British Raj. by separating from Bengal. Orissa was separated from
32 Option (d) is correct. Bihar in 1936.
Explanation: Jayaprakash Narayan was not associated 40 Option (d) is correct.
with Champaran Satyagraha. Explanation: Two important political parties that contrib-
„ Brijkishore Prasad, Rajendra Prasad, Anugrah Narayan uted to the Russian Revolution of 1917 were the Bolsheviks
Sinha, Maulana Mazharul Haque, Ram Navami Prasad and the Mensheviks.
and J. B. Kriplani Eminent lawyers including Kriplani „ The Russian Revolution of 1917 overthrew the imperial
were part of Gandhiji’s movement in the Champaran government of Tsar Nicholas II and brought the Bolsheviks
Satyagraha. to power.
33 Option (c) is correct. 41 Option (b) is correct.
Explanation: Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was associated Explanation: On 22 March 1912, Bihar and Orissa were
with the peasant movement of Bihar.
separated from Bengal and became the Bihar and Orissa
„ The Kisan Sabha movement began in Bihar under the Province.
leadership of Sahajanand Saraswati, who founded the „ This decision was announced by the King-Emperor at
Bihar Provincial Kisan Sabha (BPKS) in 1929 to mobilize Delhi on 12 December 1911.
peasant grievances against zamindari attacks on their
„ The movement for the separation of Bihar was
occupancy rights.
led by a group of English-educated Biharis, including
34 Option (b) is correct. Sachchidanand Sinha, Mukesh Narayan, Syed Hasan
Explanation: At the time of the civil disobedience Imam, Mazhar ul Haq, Deep Narayan Singh, Rajendra
movement, Chowkidari movement was started in Bihar. Prasad, and Shri Krishna Singh.
During the civil disobedience movement, when the
„ 42 Option (b) is correct.
people of the seashores of the country expressing their
Explanation: The first general elections to the Lok Sabha
protest by making salt, people of Bihar protested by
were held from October 1951 to February 1952.
refusing to pay taxes to the Chowkidars because Bihar
„ The Indian National Congress (INC) won the majority
had no seashore.
by winning 364 of the 489 seats and 45% of the total
35 Option (a) is correct.
votes polled.
Explanation: In the year 1917, there were Hindu-Muslim
„ Jawaharlal Nehru became the first democratically
riots in Bihar’s Shahbad, Gaya and Patna districts
elected Prime Minister of the country. The Communist
regarding cow protection.
Party of India emerged as the largest opposition party.
36 Option (c) is correct.
43 Option (b) is correct.
Explanation: The Chota Nagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act 1908
Explanation: The original constitution contained 395
is a 104-year-old legislation to protect land held by or for
articles, 22 parts and eight schedules.
the benefit of tribal population. This Act prohibited the
„ Since the enactment of the Constitution in 1950, 104
transfer of tribal land to non-tribal parties. Government
recognized Khuntkatti rights and banned Beth Begari amendments have been made to it.
(forced labour). The law also provides for restoration of „ As a result of these amendments, the number of
alienated land to the tribals or when converted for urban articles has increased to 448.
use, to give them equivalent lands. „ The Constitution now has 25 parts and 12 schedules.
338 OSWAAL BPSC Prelims 20 previous years solved papers
44 Option (c) is correct. The dissolution of the Lok Sabha has important
„
Explanation: The Constitution of India in Preamble constitutional implications and can only be done by the
declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, provisions of the Constitution.
and republican nation. 53 Option (a) is correct.
45 Option (b) is correct. Explanation: For the successful functioning of Panchayati
Explanation: Raj, the cooperation of the local people is required.
„ The Right to Property was initially a Fundamental „ Panchayati Raj was officially recognized as the
Right under the Indian Constitution. third tier of India’s federal democracy through the 73rd
„ In 1978, the 44th Constitutional Amendment removed Amendment Act of 1992.
the Right to Property from the list of Fundamental 54 Option (b) is correct.
Rights. Explanation: The Sun and other stars get energy through
„ The Right to Property is now considered a legal the process of nuclear fusion.
right but not a Fundamental Right under the Indian „ Nuclear fusion occurs when two lighter nuclei,
Constitution. usually hydrogen, merge to form a heavier nucleus,
46 Option (a) is correct. usually helium.
Explanation: The executive power of the Union „ Combination of two similar elements is difficult
Government is vested in the President of India. because of their similar positive charge and natural
„ The President signs all official executive measures repulsion.
taken by the Indian government. „ The high temperature of about 10 million °C and the

„ The President appoints the Prime Minister and other

critical pressure of more than 100 billion times that of the
ministers, as well as the Attorney General, the chief Earth’s atmosphere allow hydrogen atoms to overcome
election commissioner and other election commissioners, their natural repulsion and fuse into helium.
„ This process releases a huge amount of energy
the chairman and members of the Union Public Service
Commission, the governors of states, and other officials. and heat.
47 Option (b) is correct. 55 Option (d) is correct.
Explanation: The Prime Minister of India generally Explanation: Diamond, graphite, and coal all contain
comes from the political party or coalition of parties that carbon.
have a majority in the Lok Sabha. 56 Option (b) is correct.
48 Option (b) is correct. Explanation: C. V. Raman discovered the Raman effect
Explanation: As per Article 85(1) of the Constitution of on February 28, 1928, based on experiments on the
India, ‘six months shall not intervene’ between the last scattering of light.
„ Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in
sitting of one session and the first sitting of the next
session of the Lok Sabha. This provision effectively Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light and
ensures that Parliament meets at least twice a year. the discovery of the Raman effect.
49 Option (c) is correct. 57 Option (b) is correct.
Explanation: Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for Explanation: The density of water is maximum at 4°C.
a term of six years. „ Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance.
„ According to Article 80 of the Constitution, the Generally, the volume of a liquid increases on heating,
maximum strength of Rajya Sabha can be 250. At present, but when water is heated from 0°C to 4°C, the volume
there are 245 members in the Rajya Sabha. decreases and after 4°C, the volume starts increasing.
„ This means that the density of water is maximum
50 Option (d) is correct.
at 4°C.
Explanation: The state with the maximum number of
representatives in the Lok Sabha is Uttar Pradesh. It has 58 Option (a) is correct.
a total of 80 seats in the Lok Sabha. Explanation: The most abundant element in Earth’s
„ The Lok Sabha, also known as the House of the crust is oxygen with 46.1% weight.
People, is the lower house of the Indian Parliament, with „ The earth’s crust is the outermost layer of the planet.
a maximum strength of 552 members. „ Aluminium is the second most abundant element in
51 Option (d) is correct. the earth’s crust with 8.23% by weight.
Explanation: 59 Option (d) is correct.
„ It was established on January 26, 1950, under Part V Explanation: The chemical formula of plaster of Paris is
of the Constitution. CaSO4.1/2H2O.
„ At present, the Supreme Court has a Chief Justice and „ The chemical name of Plaster of Paris is calcium
33 judges, who are appointed by the President of India. sulphate hemihydrate because half a molecule of water
is attached to calcium sulphate.
52 Option (d) is correct.
„ Plaster of Paris is widely used in construction, art, and
Explanation:
medicine for making casts, moulds, and sculptures.
„ According to Article 85 of the Indian Constitution, the
President has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha before 60 Option (d) is correct.
the expiry of its term, but only on the advice of the Prime Explanation: Vinegar is a dilute solution of acetic acid,
Minister. also known as ethanoic acid, in water.
 BPSC
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„ Acetic acid is formed by the oxidation of ethanol 68 Option (b) is correct.
generally by acetic acid bacteria. Explanation: Delhi is a Union territory.
„ Vinegar contains one of the acids in its content in „ The National Capital Territory (NCT) and its
5-8% proportion, which is formed by the oxidation of surrounding urban area have been accorded the special
ethanol by some acid bacteria. status of the National Capital Region (NCR) under the
61 Option (c) is correct. Constitution of India’s 69th Amendment Act of 1991.
„ The NCT of Delhi is a union territory that is governed
Explanation: The speed of sound in air is about
much like the state of India, with its own legislature,
330 m/s.
high court, and executive council of ministers led by a
„ Sound travels faster in solids and liquids than in gases.
Chief Minister.
„ The velocity of sound in air is directly proportional to
69 Option (c) is correct.
the square root of temperature.
Explanation: The Cauvery water dispute is a long-
„ In regions with higher atmospheric temperatures, the standing issue between the Indian states of Tamil Nadu,
velocity of sound will be greater. Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry,
„ Sound is a longitudinal wave and requires a material over the sharing of water from the Cauvery River.
medium for its propagation. „ The Cauvery River originates in Karnataka’s Kodagu
62 Option (c) is correct. district, flows into Tamil Nadu and reaches the Bay of
Explanation: Sunlight takes an average of 8 minutes and Bengal.
5 seconds to travel from the Sun to the Earth. 70 Option (d) is correct.
„ Sunlight travels at the speed of light, which is Explanation: The Garo tribe is an indigenous community
approximately 300,000 kilometres per second. living in Meghalaya, India.
„ The Garo tribe is one of the major tribes in Meghalaya,
„ The distance from the Sun to the Earth is about 149.6
million kilometres. and they predominantly inhabit the Garo Hills district of
the state.
„ Photons emitted from the surface of the Sun need to
travel across the vacuum of space to reach our eyes. 71 Option (a) is correct.
Explanation: Bhakhra Nangal is a joint project of Punjab,
63 Option (a) is correct. Haryana and Rajasthan.
Explanation: Increasing the amount of carbon in steel „ It is a multipurpose hydroelectric project located on
increases its hardness and strength, making it more the Sutlej River in northern India.
durable and wear-resistant. 72 Option (a) is correct.
64 Option (d) is correct. Explanation: The Konkan Railway runs along the west
coast of India, linking Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka.
Explanation: Chromatography is a physical method of
„ Its headquarters are located in CBD Belapur, Navi
separation of substances from a mixture.
Mumbai.
„ It involves the dynamic partitions or distribution of „ The railway line covers 756.25 km and reduces the
dissolved materials between two immiscible phases. distance between Mumbai and Kochi by 750 km.
65 Option (d) is correct. 73 Option (b) is correct.
Explanation: Pressure gauges are not provided in Explanation: Muri, located near Ranchi, is famous for its
domestic L.P.G. Cylinders because it is choked by L.P.G aluminium factory. Muri Aluminum Plant, established
and they cannot display the amount of gas in the L.P.G. in 1938, is the second-largest aluminium factory in the
Cylinders, apart from this, the possibility of danger country.
increases by using it. 74 Option (b) is correct.
66 Option (c) is correct. Explanation: At present Maithan Dam is located in
Explanation: Light exhibits both wave and particle-like Maithan of Jharkhand state from which hydroelectric
power is generated.
properties.
„ Maithan Dam was established on the Barkar River, which
„ The particle-like nature of light is described by
is functioning under the Damodar Valley Corporation.
photons, which are tiny packets of energy that behave
„ This dam was constructed mainly to control the
like particles.
flood. At present, about 60,000 kilowatts of electricity are
„ On the other hand, the wave-like nature of light is
produced from it.
described by its frequency and wavelength.
75 Option (c) is correct.
67 Option (b) is correct. Explanation: Bihar is the largest producer of mica.
Explanation: Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide. „ Bihar and Jharkhand are known for the best ruby
„ It changes directly from a solid to a gas when heated, mica in the world.
without melting into a liquid. „ India is home to three types of mica: Muscovite,
„ It is commonly used in the transportation of perishable Phlogopite, and Biotite.
goods, as well as in the food industry for freezing and „ Mica is used in the production of items with high
chilling purposes. electrical resistance and in heat-related sectors.
„ It is also used in cleaning and blasting applications „ Mica is used in the semiconductor, paint, and rubber
due to its abrasive nature. industries.
340 OSWAAL BPSC Prelims 20 previous years solved papers
76 Option (c) is correct. „ Other major wheat-producing states in India include
Explanation: According to latest census (census 1991 Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Bihar.
when question was asked) the average annual growth „ Wheat is a Rabi crop and one of the most important
rate of population of India is explosive tendency. cereal crops in India.
77 Option (d) is correct. 84 Option (d) is correct.
Explanation: Explanation: Sumeshwar series of Bihar is Newer than
„ Land reforms in India have been introduced to Parasnath Hills, Rajmahal Hills and Kharagpur Hills.
improve the welfare of farmers and address issues of „ The Someshwar range in Bihar is a geological
land distribution and ownership.
formation.
„ Some of the major measures taken as part of
„ It dates back to the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs.
land reforms include the abolition of intermediaries,
consolidation of land holdings, and the promotion of „ The range is located in the northern region of West
cooperative farming. However, providing house loans to Champaran.
farmers is not a part of land reforms. „ The Doon and Someshwar fold ranges in the north of

78 Option (d) is correct. West Champaran emerged from the tectonic geology of
Explanation: The success of the ‘Green Revolution is mountain formation.
dependent on the availability of the following: 85 Option (b) is correct.
„ High-yielding varieties of seeds Explanation: In Jharkhand, the Damodar River flows
„ Sufficient irrigation facilities through a fault trough.
„ Adequate use of fertilizers „ The Damodar River originates in the Palamau hills of
„ Pest and disease control measures Chhota Nagpur.
The Green Revolution was initiated by Norman Borlaug „ The Damodar River is known as the “Sorrow of
in the 1960s. Bengal” due to its history of frequent flooding, which
M.S. Swaminathan played a leading role in the Green has caused significant distress to millions of people
Revolution in India. dependent on it.
79 Option (a) is correct. 86 Option (a) is correct.
Explanation: In Bihar, production-wise, the second crop Explanation: The Percentage of the forest of total
after rice is wheat. geographical area of Bihar was 17% in 1998.
„ Rice, wheat and maize are the major cereal crops of Bihar. „ Kaimur has the largest forest cover with 1051.56 km²
„ Arhar, urad, moong, gram, peas, masoor and khesari of forests.
are some of the pulses grown in Bihar. „ After that, the district with the second highest forest
„ In fruit cultivation, it is the largest producer of litchi area is West Champaran.
besides mango, banana and guava. „ Sheikhpura district has the least forest area.
„ Sugarcane and Jute are the other two major cash
87 Option (d) is correct.
crops of Bihar.
Explanation: The Heavy Machine Plant was located in
80 Option (d) is correct.
Ranchi, the capital of the present Jharkhand state.
Explanation:
„ HEC (Heavy Engineering Corporation) Limited is a
„ After independence, the irrigated area in Bihar has
public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Heavy
increased by about 10 times.
Industries.
„ The irrigated area in India has increased almost 5
times since 1947. 88 Option (b) is correct.
„ Uttar Pradesh is the state with the largest irrigated Explanation: The planets which have no satellites are
area in India. Venus and Mercury. Earth has one natural satellite.
81 Option (c) is correct. 89 Option (b) is correct.
Explanation: Bihar is the largest producer having a Explanation: The gulf Stream is a warm water current
monopoly in production of pyrite in India, supplying the that flows across the western North Atlantic Ocean.
majority of the country’s pyrite. „ It originates in the Gulf of Mexico and stretches to
„ India has a monopoly in the global market for pyrite Florida’s tip along with its northern extension, the North
supply. Atlantic Drift.
„ The pyrite produced in Bihar, India is of high quality. „ It stretches up the entire eastern coast of both Canada
82 Option (b) is correct. and the United States.
Explanation: In Chotanagpur, at the primary level, the „ The Gulf Stream functions similarly to a large
economy was based on forest resources. conveyor belt, warming Northern Europe by carrying
„ The region was known for its dense forests, which warm water from the northeast across the Atlantic.
provided the primary source of livelihood for the people
90 Option (c) is correct.
living there.
Explanation: China is the world’s most populous country
83 Option (c) is correct.
with a population of approximately 1.4 billion people.
Explanation: In India, the largest producer of wheat is
„ India is the second most populous country in the
the state of Uttar Pradesh.
world with 1.2 billion.
 BPSC
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91 Option (a) is correct. 100 Option (d) is correct.
Explanation: Johannesburg is a city in South Africa that Explanation: Iron is obtained from the mineral called
is famously known as the ‘City of Gold’. hematite (Fe2O3) which is the most common iron ore.
„ Johannesburg is not only the largest city in South „ Hematite is the most important source of iron ore.
Africa but also the largest city in Africa, surrounded „ Hematite is a mineral that is widely distributed on
by some of the world’s deepest gold mines. Earth’s surface and shallow crust.
92 Option (a) is correct. 101 Option (a) is correct.
Explanation: Pygmies are inhabitants of Central Africa, Explanation: The chemical name of vitamin C is ascorbic
specifically the forest regions of the Congo Basin, which acid.
includes countries such as Cameroon, Central African „ It is a water-soluble vitamin and a powerful antioxidant
Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Gabon. that helps protect cells from damage caused by harmful
93 Option (b) is correct. molecules known as free radicals.
Explanation: Kanchenjunga is the highest mountain „ Ascorbic acid plays an important role in collagen
peak in India, with an elevation of 8,586 m (28,169 ft). synthesis, which is essential for the formation and
„ It is located on the border of India and Nepal in the maintenance of bones, blood vessels, and skin.
Himalayas range in the state of Sikkim. „ It can be found in citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli,
raw bell pepper, kiwifruit, and brussels sprouts, among
94 Option (d) is correct.
others.
Explanation: The Shivalik range was formed during the
102 Option (d) is correct.
Cenozoic period.
Explanation: Prime numbers are numbers that have only
„ The Shivalik series is also known as the Outer
two factors one and itself.
Himalayas.
The prime number that comes between 70 and 100 are
„ It is located between the Great Plains and Lesser
71, 73, 79, 83, 89 and 97.
Himalayas.
Pair of consecutive odd prime is (71, 73), (79, 83), (89, 97)
95 Option (b) is correct. 103 Option (d) is correct.
Explanation: Black soil is also known as regur soil or Explanation:
black cotton soil.
1×2+3=5
„ It is found mainly in the central Deccan Plateau and
the northeastern part of the Peninsula. 5 × 2 + 3 = 13
„ The black colour of regur soil is due to the presence of
13 × 2 + 3 = 29
a small amount of titaniferous magnetite or iron, as well 29 × 2 + 3 = 61
as the black constituents of the parent rock. 61 × 2 + 3 = 125
96 Option (b) is correct. So, complete sequence is: 1, 5, 13, 29, 61, 125
Explanation: The electrolyte used in a car battery is a 104 Option (c) is correct.
solution of sulphuric acid. Explanation:
„ In the battery, sulfuric acid acts as the electrolyte, We know that
facilitating the chemical reactions that produce electrical abc
energy. Semi-perimeter, S 
2
97 Option (c) is correct. Where, a = 11, b = 60, c = 61
Explanation: One Picogram is equal to 10–12 grams. 11  60  61
∴ S  66
98 Option (c) is correct. 2
Explanation: Milk is an example of an emulsion. Area of triangle  s( s  a )( s  b )( s  c )
„ Milk is a liquid that consists of an emulsion or colloid  66( 66  11)( 66  60 )( 66  61)
of butterfat globules within a fluid mainly composed of
water.  66  55  6  5
„ This fluid also contains dissolved carbohydrates and = 330 m2
protein aggregates with minerals. Let, the height relative to the side 61 m be h, then
„ An emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that 1
 61  h  330
are typically unmixable, leading to liquid-liquid phase 2
separation. h = 10.8 m
99 Option (d) is correct. 105 Option (b) is correct.
Explanation: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are responsible Explanation: Let the first number = x and second
for the depletion of the ozone layer. number = 72 + x
„ When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they 72  x
∴  4 (given)
rise to the stratosphere, where they are broken down by x
ultraviolet radiation. 72 + x = 4x
„ This breakdown releases chlorine atoms, which then 72 = 3x
react with ozone molecules, breaking them down and ∴ x = 24
depleting the ozone layer. Second number = 72 + x = 72 + 24 = 96
342 OSWAAL BPSC Prelims 20 previous years solved papers
106 Option (c) is correct. 112 Option (d) is correct.
Explanation: First 10 prime numbers are: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, Explanation: The objective of New Economic Policy
17, 19, 23, 29 (NEP) 1991 was to promote liberalization, privatization
Sum of observations and globalization.
Average = „ It was introduced under the leadership of P. V.
Number of observations
Narasimha Rao and the support of the Finance Minister,
2  3  5  7  11  13  17  19  23  29 Manmohan Singh.

10 113 Option (d) is correct.
129 Explanation: When this question was asked, corporate
= = 12.9
10 tax was the single largest source of income to the
107 Option (b) is correct. government of India. However, in recent tiles income tax
has also emerged as one of the largest sources of revenue
Explanation:
to the government. In 2020-21, corporate tax was 28.1% of
 1 mile = 1.6093 km total revenue while personal income tax stood at 28.3% of
∴ 5 miles = 1.6093 × 5 = 8.0465 km total government revenue.
Difference in required kilometers = 0.0465 km 114 Option (b) is correct.
1 yard = 0.9144 m Explanation:
„ Land Revenue tax is a type of tax that is levied by
0.9144
= km the State Governments in India on agricultural land.
1000
„ The tax is based on the area of the land, the type of
0.9144 crop grown, and other factors. Land Revenue tax is also
 km = 1 yard
1000 known as “Land Tax” or “Agricultural Tax”.
1000  0.0465 Option (b) is correct.
∴ 0.0465 km  yards 115
0.9144 Explanation:
= 51 yards „ India is one of the largest producers of textiles and
108 Option (a) is correct. garments in the world, and the textile industry is a
4 3 major contributor to the country’s economy.
Explanation: Volume of solid sphere  r cm 3
3 „ It is one of the oldest industries in the Indian economy
Let, the length of the wire be 1 cm, volume of sphere and is a repository of traditional skills, heritage, and
= volume of the wire (πr2h) culture.
3 3 „ The textile sector contributes 2.3% to India’s Gross
4 6  0.2 
then π = π×  ×h Domestic Product (GDP), 7% of industrial output, and
3  2   2  12% to the country’s export earnings.
36 = 0.01 × h „ Furthermore, it employs more than 21% of the total
h = 3600 cm workforce.
= 36 m 116 Option (b) is correct.
109 Option (d) is correct. Explanation: EXIM Bank is an institution that is
Explanation: The Eighth Five-Year Plan aimed to achieve specifically designed to facilitate and promote foreign
an average growth rate of 5.6% per annum. trade in India.
„ It provides financial assistance and advisory services
„ The Eighth Five-Year Plan of India was formulated for
to Indian exporters and importers for their international
the period of 1992–1997 by the Planning Commission of
trade transactions.
India.
117 Option (a) is correct.
110 Option (b) is correct.
Explanation:
Explanation: In India, the majority of unemployed „ The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
individuals are in the agricultural sector. (SAARC) was established on 8 December 1985 in Dhaka,
„ Despite the growth of other industries such as Bangladesh.
manufacturing and services, agriculture remains the „ The seven founding countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan,
primary source of employment for a significant portion India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) held
of the population, particularly in rural areas. their first meeting in April 1981 in Colombo.
„ At the time this question was asked, Afghanistan was
111 Option (c) is correct.
not a member of SAARC. Afghanistan became a member
Explanation: Land Development Banks, LDBs are of SAARC in 2005 at the 13th annual summit.
primarily funded by the state government, the National
„ The headquarters of SAARC is located in Kathmandu,
Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Nepal.
and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
118 Option (a) is correct.
„ Land Development Banks (LDBs) are specialized
Explanation:
financial institutions that are primarily focused on
„ The Housing and Urban Development Corporation
providing long-term loans for agriculture and rural
Ltd. (HUDCO) is a fully-owned Government Company
development.
that was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956.
 BPSC
OSWAAL
Solved
BPSC
Paper
Prelims
(1998) 343
„ The primary objective of HUDCO is to provide 124 Option (c) is correct.
financing for housing and urban development projects Explanation: A country called Israel was created for the
throughout India. Jews in 1948 because the Jews had neither a land nor a
119 Option (d) is correct. country of their own.
Explanation: C.P of 11 articles = ` 10 „ Israel was founded on May 14, 1948, following the end

10 of the British mandate in Palestine, and the adoption of

C.P of 1 article = ` the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine.
11
S.P of 10 articles = ` 11 125 Option (d) is correct.
11 Explanation: The Agni missile is a series of Indian
S.P of 1 article = ` intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) developed by
10
Profit the Defence Research and Development Organisation
× 100 (DRDO) of India.
C.P. 11 10
− „ The Agni missile series includes different variants,
∴ Profit% = 10 11 × 100  21  11  100 = 21% such as the Agni-I, Agni-II, Agni-III, Agni-IV, Agni-V, and
10 110  10 Agni-VI.
11
120 Option (c) is correct. „ These missiles have varying ranges, with the Agni-VI

Explanation: being the longest-range missile in the series, capable of

hitting targets over 10,000 km away.
 x – a is a factor
126 Option (a) is correct.
x–a=0
Explanation: Chennai was known as Madras before 1996.
x=a
„ It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of
f(x) = x3 – a2x + x + 2 Bengal.
Substituting x = a in f(x) we get, 127 Option (a) is correct.
a3 – a2 × a + a + 2 = 0 Explanation: Khamer Resh is the dictator party of
a3 – a3 + a + 2 = 0 Cambodia.
a+2=0 128 Option (a) is correct.
a = –2 Explanation: Sunderlal Bahuguna is best known for his
121 Option (b) is correct. work in the Chipko movement, a movement to protect
Explanation: We know that forests in the Himalayan region of India.
„ The Chipko movement began in the 1970s, and
n(A ∪ B) = n(A) + n(B) – n(A ∩ B) Bahuguna played a significant role in organizing and
Here, n(A ∪ B) = 18 leading it.
n(A) = 8 129 Option (c) is correct.
 
n(B) = 15 Explanation: The two states involved in talks for the
surrender of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan were:
∴ 18 = 8 + 15 – n(A ∩ B) Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
or, 18 = 23 – n(A ∩ B) 130 Option (c) is correct.
∴ n(A ∩ B) = 23 – 18 = 5 Explanation: Geet Sethi belongs to the game billiards
122 Option (a) is correct. and snooker.
Explanation: International Women’s Day is observed 131 Option (a) is correct.
annually on March 8th. Explanation: Saddam Hussein was an Iraqi politician who
„ It is a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achieve- served as the fifth President of Iraq from 1979 until 2003.
ments, raising awareness about gender equality, lobby- „ He was tried by the Iraqi Special Tribunal and found
ing for accelerated gender parity, and fundraising for fe- guilty of crimes against humanity and was executed by
male-focused charities. hanging on December 30, 2006.
„ The United Nations celebrated International Women’s 132 Option (b) is correct.
Day for the first time in 1975.
Explanation: The secretary of the State of America was
123 Option (c) is correct. Madeleine Albright in 1998.
Explanation: Mother Teresa was born on August 27, 133 Option (b) is correct.
1910, in Skopje Macedonian (Greece), which was part Explanation: Secretary-General of UNO in 1998 was Kofi
of the Ottoman Empire and is now located in North
Annan (1997-2006) Ghana.
Macedonia.
„ She became a Roman Catholic nun at the age of 18
Present Secretary General of UNO is Antonio Guterres.
and joined the Loreto Sisters in Ireland. 134 Option (c) is correct.
„ Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in Explanation: Nalanda University was famous for Buddhist
India in 1950 at the age of 40. Religious Philosophy.
„ Nalanda was a centre of learning from the 5th century
„ Her lifetime of service to the poor in Kolkata (Calcutta)
made her one of the most famous people in the world. CE to 1200 CE. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
344 OSWAAL BPSC Prelims 20 previous years solved papers
„ Nalanda flourished under the patronage of the Gupta „ The Oscar Awards, also known as the Academy
Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under Awards, is an annual awards ceremony honouring
Harsha, the emperor of Kannauj. outstanding achievements in the film industry.
135 Option (d) is correct. 145 Option (c) is correct.
Explanation: The quote “It will be our blunder if we leave Explanation: The Last Kumbh Mela of the 20th century
people of Bihar and their government unsafe before the
was celebrated at Haridwar.
violence and uncivilized attacks of league leaders” was
„ Kumbh Mela is held at four different locations
spoken by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1946.
in India: Nashik, Ujjain, Haridwar, and Prayag, and
„ At the time, Sardar Patel was serving as the Deputy
Prime Minister of India and the Home Minister, involves various social and cultural activities.
responsible for maintaining law and order in the country. „ It is held once every 12 years in each location, with

136 Option (c) is correct.

the Ardh Kumbh Mela taking place in between.
Explanation: The headquarters of the International „ Kumbh Mela is a UNESCO-recognized intangible
Court of Justice is located in The Hague, Netherlands. cultural heritage festival.
„ The International Court of Justice (ICJ) was established 146 Option (a) is correct.
in 1945 by the United Nations charter and started Explanation: The Prasar Bharati Bill was introduced in
working in April 1946. Parliament by Jaypal Reddy.
137 Option (d) is correct. „ Prasar Bharati is a statutory autonomous body that
Explanation: The Statue of Liberty is in New York, serves as the public service broadcaster of India.
United States. „ The Prasar Bharati Act was established in 1997, with
„ President Grover Cleveland dedicated the statue on the aim of providing autonomy to Doordarshan and
October 28, 1886. Akashvani to educate and entertain the public.
„ The statue was designed by Frederic Bartholdi and 147 Option (a) is correct.
was gifted to the United States from the people of France.
Explanation: The Fatwa (religious order) of death against
138 Option (d) is correct. Salman Rushdie was issued by Ayatollah Khomeini, the
Explanation: Nelson Mandela raised his voice against Supreme Leader of Iran, in 1989, in response to Rushdie’s
apartheid in South Africa. book “The Satanic Verses”.
„ Mandela was a member of the African National
148 Option (b) is correct.
Congress (ANC) and advocated non-violent resistance to
Explanation: In 1876, Queen Victoria was granted the
the apartheid system.
title “Empress of India” or “Kaisar-i-Hind” under the
„ He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 for his
Royal Titles Act 1876.
efforts to end apartheid.
„ The act was enacted to ensure that the British imperial
139 Option (d) is correct. title would be used solely in India.
Explanation: Tony Blair was the Prime Minister of
149 Option (a) is correct.
England as per the question asked year.
Explanation: Lakshadweep Island is situated in South
140 Option (b) is correct.
West India.
Explanation: The Sharjah Cup was a tri-series (India-
„ Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory in India
Australia- New Zealand) played in Sharjah in 1998, in
which India won by defeating Australia. and is located in the Arabian Sea.
„ The territory was previously known as Laccadive and
141 Option (a) is correct.
Explanation: Sundar Lal Bhandari was appointed to was formed on November 1, 1956.
the post of Governor of Bihar by the then Atal Bihari „ It was renamed Lakshadweep on November 1, 1973.
Vajpayee government. The capital of Lakshadweep is Kavaratti, while its former
142 Option (d) is correct. capital is Kozhikode.
Explanation: Karunanidhi was then Chief Minister of 150 Option (c) is correct.
Tamil Nadu. Explanation: The author, of the book ‘Life Divine’ is
„ At present M. K. Stalin is the Chief Minister of Tamil Aurobindo Ghosh.
Nadu. „ The book is based on his principles and philosophical
143 Option (d) is correct. work, in which he presents a theory of spiritual evolution,
Explanation: Elections to the 12th Lok Sabha were held that will culminate in the human being.
during February–March 1998. Other important book of Sri Aurobindo:
„ The Bharatiya Janata Party became the single largest
„ The Secret of the Vedas.
party with 181 seats in the elections held for 537 seats.
„ The Ideal of human unity.
144 Option (d) is correct. „ Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol.
Explanation: The Oscar Award for best film in 1998 was
„ Synthesis of Yoga.
given to Titanic.